Sophomore Spoiler? Shear Could Swipe MASCS Championship

Topics:  Kyle Shear

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
September 15, 2008

(Fort Atkinson, WI) September 15, 2008 – With three races remaining in the Mid-American Stock Car Series’ “Sweet 16 Season,” Kyle Shear is currently third in series points. Trailing three-time and defending champion James Swan by only 63 markers, the driver from Roscoe, IL is still a legitimate threat to keep both Swan and second place Bill Prietzel from picking up a historical fourth MASCS championship.

There was no such thing as a “sophomore slump” this season for Kyle Shear. After picking up the 2007 Mid-American Stock Car Series Rookie of the Year title, Shear has the chance to become the youngest Mid-American champion at only 20 years of age.

While many parents may rush to put their children into a stock car at tender ages, Shear first jumped behind the wheel when he was 18. He raced less than a handful of times in his Mid-American Stock Car at the end of the 2006 season and raced his first full season last year.

In 2007 Shear started all 12 Mid-American features, with a win in the series’ first trip to Dells Raceway Park, and picked up six top tens on the way to placing seventh in championship points.

There is a realization in Shear that something big is on hand if he can indeed take the championship. “Really looking at it, I can't complain at all with where I’m at no matter how this year ends up. To only be 30 races into my career and running for a championship is cool. I don't think there are many people around that can say that,” Shear claimed.

The extra experience and practice time has paid dividends for Shear this season. Through nine races, he has already matched the number of top ten finishes from last season. Shear again showed his strong hand at the Dells Raceway Park this season. Although he was unable to pick up a win at that venue, he set track records during qualifying and finished in the top five both times this season.

He did, however, pick up a win this season in July when he dominated the Tisler Salvage White at Wisconsin International Raceway.

Shear also has slightly expanded his horizons this season. On several occasions, he has attended Limited Late Model events where he drove the house car of Race Car Help, Shear’s employer. Several strong runs in a few appearances at the Madison International Speedway and in the Big 8 Late Models have proven that Shear has the potential to be a bona fide top talent.

That talent has caught the eye of Swan, who views Shear as his biggest threat to picking up his third consecutive MASCS championship. “I know Bill Prietzel is as good as us, but Kyle is better. They test a lot and racing the Limited Late Model is only going to make Kyle better,” explained Swan.

Prietzel is cautiously skeptical. “Sometimes you have to be there first,” said Prietzel in regard to having experience racing for a championship. “I’m not picking on Kyle, he certainly has the talent, and if James and I stumble, he could be right there,” he added.

While Shear may not have been there as a driver, Prietzel feels that the team has the experience to take the championship. “Troy [Shear Sr.] has been there before, he has that experience,” said Prietzel in reference to Shear’s father who owns both his and his brother Troy Shear Jr.’s cars. Troy Sr. toured with Mid-American in its early seasons as a driver and later owned Mark Pluer’s ride which took second in championship points.

Shear is also cautious, but optimistic. “I know that the crew and the car are capable of winning the championship, it just comes down to me driving it,” Shear said. “I just have to keep my nose clean qualify good and finish in the top 5. If I do that and James or Bill have a bad night I will be right there.”

The next event for the Mid-American Stock Car Series will be this Saturday, September 20th at the Madison International Speedway as part of their Fall Classic. After the visit to Madison, Mid-American rounds out its regular season with another stop on Sunday, September 27th at Rockford Speedway as part of the 43rd Annual National Short Track Championships and on Saturday October 4th as part of the 39th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend.

Madison International Speedway is located a half mile off of WI Hwy 138 on Sunrise Rd in Oregon, WI. For more information visit www.madisoninternationalspeedway.com

For more information about the Mid-American Series including results, current 2008 standings, the remaining 2008 schedule and driver info please visit www.midamericanracing.com